Reports from British Glass and the European Container Glass Federation (FEVE) have found that European and UK glass industries are advancing together towards net zero emissions.

The Decarbonisation Report 2025 from FEVE confirms the transition to low-carbon glass manufacturing is now underway across Europe.

Its findings align closely with the Glass Sector Net Zero Strategy 2050 report developed by British Glass.

The reports show that glass manufacturers are deploying new technologies, improving energy efficiency, and transforming how glass is produced.

Dr Nick Kirk, Federation Director at British Glass said: “The FEVE Decarbonisation Report shows that our industry is making tangible progress.

“The UK and European glass sectors are aligned, innovating, and investing to deliver real emissions reductions proving that climate-neutral production is already achievable."

Electrification is emerging as the most efficient route to decarbonising combustion emissions.

Across Europe, all-electric and hybrid furnaces are coming online that use a high proportion of electricity.

In some applications, emissions can be reduced by up to 60%.

Where electrification cannot fully replace fuel use, manufacturers are exploring alternatives such as hydrogen and biogas to further cut emissions.

Glass also continues to lead on circularity.

More than 80% of glass packaging in Europe is collected for recycling, helping to lower energy demand and reduce emissions in the manufacturing process.

British Glass also highlighted that the sector’s co-ordinated approach demonstrated resilience at a critical time for European industry.

It emphasised that glass is a permanent, endlessly recyclable material, and a key component in supply chains across food, beverage, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics industries.

Therefore, achieving climate neutrality in production would ensure that the industry could keep supplying these sectors sustainably, protect skilled manufacturing jobs, and remain competitive in global markets.

In addition, both reports underlined that while the technology pathways are now proven, scaling them across the sector would require the right policy and infrastructure framework.